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Big Fins: 1959 Cadillac Convertible

1959-cadillac-convertible-barn-find

After school there was always a 1959 Cadillac convertible parked across the street from where I caught the bus. The image of that car will forever be burnt in my memory and it’s not because of the bright pink paint. Those huge fins protruding from the rear were the reason every kid stopped and stared. Little did they know that they were witnessing the largest tail fins ever fitted to a production automobile. No car had ever been so well endowed and none would ever come close again. That’s why it is sad to see this one here on eBay in such a sorry state.

cadillac-fins

There are those fins, all forty-two inches of them. Just take a moment and admire them… They may have been a fashion statement, but we cant help but wonder if the designers intended them to have some function too. Perhaps they helped stabilize the car at high-speeds?

cadillac-v8

We have never found any proof of that, but with 325 horses under the hood, you may actually be able to test out our theory. It will take a while to get up to speed though, because this land-barge weighs over two tons.

cadillac-interior

The elements have not been kind to this Caddy. Cancerous rust has taken hold and the interior has disintegrated. With a black over red color scheme, we bet this thing looked sharp when it rolled into the show room though. It may seem extravagant today, but it symbolizes a very special time in America. We had arrived, and what better way to announce it then with some outrageous tail-fins.

1959-cadillac-series-62

After being parked for 45 years, this Series 62 is going to need a complete restoration. Still, someone is sure to want it and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of my old classmates gets in on the action.

Comments

  1. Avatar DanaPointJohn

    This is getting painful and all too common on Barn Finds and forces the question of why, why, why?

    Like 0
  2. Avatar 88R107

    My grandfather had a 59 6 window Sedan de Ville as a new car. He swore those fins stabilzed the car at speed. I am sure that was one of the sales pitches back then.
    Just think how proud the owner was when they pulled out of the dealership the day they took delivery.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Don Andreina

      They probably did directionally stabilise the car in some way, but the crosswind effect would have been interesting.

      Like 0
      • Avatar 88R107

        I think the coolness factor of pulling up to the Country Club in a new Cadillac sealed the deal for him-)

        Like 0
  3. Avatar paul

    Judging by the pictures I’d say their is several very needy cars on that property, who does this, is my usual reaction when I see this stuff.

    Like 0
    • Avatar paul

      I just caught the blue Olds conv. under the tarp from the other day so now I know the answer.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar John Forsman

    My daughter went to the Wonderland Ave school in the Laurel Canyon area of LA. There was a pink ’59 convertible in the driveway across from that school also in the 80’s.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar David

    This feels like the junkyard that the other two 50s convertibles were/are from. I wish some one saved these convertibles before they got like this]!

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Sad to see the state it’s in but as the song goes, ‘It’s in pretty good condition for the condition it’s in’—-it looks complete, it’s a ’59 Caddy, and it’s a convertible.
    No surprise that it’s bid to over $8K after one day.

    I expect to see it on Speed one day selling for big money at B-J.
    That said, I wish it would sell to someone near me so I can see it an a Show ‘N Shine near me in a couple of years.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Mark E

    I’ve owned two ’59 convertibles and can definitely say one thing about them. When you’re driving with the top down, you always get the feeling there’s some car in your blind spot. You turn and…no, it’s those stupid fins fooling you again!! ^_^

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Rene

    I wonder if this car will ever come to life again.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar rancho bella

    I have a vivid imagination……………….I imagine this costing stupid money to bring back……not impossible, but stick a fork in this one.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar jim s

    this seller has 170 listing on ebay right now, all auto related. does makes a person wonder!

    Like 0
  11. Avatar TuckerTorpedo

    Just as smart as leaving a big pile of money outside, to melt away and desintegrate season by season. Idiots!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar stp

    just checked the seller’s other auctions. one is for a ’69 GTO. the description includes this line (seriously): “Have original 400 #s match engine for extra cost available to buyer if interested.”

    uh, wut?

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Conservativesdefeated

    junk. sad…

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Horse Radish

    This is obviously a dismantling BUSINESS.
    After he is done taking all useful or decent parts off the cars, he offers the carcasses for ridiculous money.
    Pass.
    I would NOT encourage this kind of behavior.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar MustangFan

    Current Bid is over $14K with all that rust. Am I missing something?

    Like 0
    • Avatar 88R107

      The $13,000 in the glove box-))))

      Like 0
    • Avatar paul

      Here MustangFan, take 2 of these pills, it’s some really good sh*t.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Paul Oakley

      Mate!
      She will sell for more than that! if I had the cash I would be bidding :)

      Like 0
  16. Avatar Charles

    Yeah, it will be interesting to see just how much this car sells for.

    I seen a nicely restored one bring 175K at a classic car auction in Florida about 6 years ago.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Rockabilly Trevor

    Just like the CHARGER Daytona’s, hard to believe there was a time when no one wanted these big finned Cadillac’s. Now every one wants one. What is really sad is there are next to zero reproduction panels to restore these beautiful cars. .

    Like 0

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